Cosmetic applicator

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an applicator of a cosmetic, makeup or care product, on human keratin materials, comprising: an application point made from felt, defining an application surface of the product, extending along a longitudinal axis and having at least one oblique groove extending along an axis that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the application point and does not lie in a plane containing the longitudinal axis.

The present invention relates to applicators for applying a cosmetic product to human keratin materials and more particularly, but not exclusively, to eyeliner applicators. The invention also relates to a corresponding packaging and application device and to a corresponding makeup method.

It is known practice to make up the eyelid or the eyebrows by drawing a line of eyeliner with the aid of an applicator provided to this end.

Among known eyeliner applicators, some comprise a container provided with a threaded neck on which there can be fixed a closure cap which carries a stem provided at its end with an applicator tip that is generally produced by injection-molding thermoplastic material, and with a flocked coating. A wiping member is usually positioned in the neck in order to wipe off the stem and reduce the quantity of product taken up when the applicator is withdrawn.

Applicator pens, which are more practical to use, are also known. However, the performance of these pens is sometimes inferior to that which it is possible to obtain with complex shapes of known applicator end pieces that are produced by injection-molding or by machining a felt tip.

An eyeliner applicator having an axial groove is known from application WO 2011/004341.

Application EP 1 797 790 describes a cosmetic applicator for the lips or eyelids, which may have a longitudinal through-cavity.

Application EP 1 726 235 describes a cosmetic applicator for the lips or nails, having two branches that together define a longitudinal cavity, a membrane joining the two branches.

Application EP 1 726 236 describes a cosmetic applicator for the skin or nails, which may have a longitudinal cavity.

Application EP 0 965 286 discloses a cosmetic applicator for the lips, produced by injection-molding plastic material, comprising an applicator part that has indentations.

Application EP 1 336 353 discloses an applicator for applying a product to the eyelid, having two flocked tips.

There is interest in obtaining an eyeliner applicator that is flexible and precise on application and that provides satisfactory product loading.

The invention aims to meet this need and achieves this aim by proposing an applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to human keratin materials, having:

-   -   an applicator tip made of felt, defining an application surface         of the product, extending along a longitudinal axis and having         at least one oblique groove extending along an axis not         perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the applicator tip and         not contained in a plane containing the longitudinal axis.

Another subject of the invention is an applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to human keratin materials, having:

-   -   an applicator tip made of felt, defining an application surface         of the product, extending along a longitudinal axis and having         at least three longitudinal grooves each extending along an axis         contained in a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the         applicator tip.

The presence of oblique grooves provides flexibility for the applicator tip and suppleness on application. In addition, the grooves make it possible to create reserves of product on the application surface.

The longitudinal grooves promote the flow of the product in the direction of its distal end during the application.

The longitudinal or oblique groove or grooves advantageously each extend entirely along an axis not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the applicator tip.

The longitudinal or oblique groove or grooves are preferably not through-grooves over their entire length.

The longitudinal or oblique groove or grooves may optionally extend to the distal end of the applicator tip.

The longitudinal or oblique groove or grooves may extend over one portion only or over the entire length of the application surface.

Several longitudinal or oblique grooves may be positioned around the longitudinal axis of the applicator tip.

The longitudinal grooves may be equally distributed around the longitudinal axis of the applicator tip. This makes it possible to uniformly dispense the product on the application surface.

In the case where the applicator tip has a mounting end piece, the oblique or longitudinal groove or grooves may extend thereover.

The oblique groove or grooves may each extend over less than one revolution around the longitudinal axis of the applicator tip.

In one variant, the oblique groove or grooves make one or more revolutions around the longitudinal axis of the applicator tip, in particular forming one or more annular grooves.

The applicator tip may have at least two oblique grooves in the form of annular grooves that intersect.

In one variant, the oblique groove or grooves follow the path of a helix around the longitudinal axis of the applicator tip.

The applicator tip may have two oblique grooves that follow the path of two reverse helices that cross one other around the longitudinal axis of the applicator tip.

The edges of the longitudinal or oblique grooves may be parallel to one another or follow undulations.

The profile of the longitudinal or oblique grooves may be of any shape, the grooves in particular being flat-bottom, rounded-bottom or sloped-bottom grooves.

The longitudinal or oblique groove or grooves may be continuous.

In one variant, the longitudinal or oblique groove or grooves are discontinuous, in particular each forming a succession of cells or oblong indentations.

The applicator tip may comprise between three and 6 longitudinal grooves.

In the case where the applicator tip comprises several grooves, these may be identical to one another or may vary, in particular in terms of their depth, width or length, or in terms of the shape of their bottom or of their edges.

The depth of each longitudinal or oblique groove may optionally be constant along the axis of the groove.

The maximum depth of a groove, measured perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis, may be between 0.1 mm and 6 mm.

The width of each longitudinal or oblique groove may optionally be constant along the axis of the groove.

The width of a groove may be between 0.1 mm and 2.5 mm.

The length of a longitudinal groove, measured between its ends along its axis, may be between 0.1 mm and 30 mm.

The application surface may have a variable cross section, in particular decreasing in the direction of the distal end of the applicator tip.

The applicator part of the applicator tip may be of any shape, in particular being of a shape tapered toward its distal end, for example of conical envelope.

The applicator tip may be symmetrical with respect to a median plane of symmetry that passes through its longitudinal axis. A symmetrical shape may make it possible to more easily make up the right eye and the left eye in an identical manner.

The applicator tip is made of felt, that is to say that it comprises synthetic or natural fibers all oriented substantially in the same direction, in particular along the longitudinal axis of the tip, and bound together.

The fibers may be fibers made of thermoplastic material, notably made of acrylic polymer, polyester or polyamide, or made of porous polyurethane. The fibers may have a linear density of less than 1 denier, preferably between 0.5 and 0.9 denier, in particular 0.7 denier (i.e. around 9 micrometers). The fibers may be made of Nylon®.

The oblique grooves cut certain fibers and thus modify the diffusion of the product by capillary action within the applicator tip. In particular, it is possible by adjusting the arrangement of the groove or grooves to influence the distribution of the product on the application surface. In particular it is possible to promote diffusion to the tip within the fibers not interrupted by the groove or grooves, and to slow down the diffusion of product at the surface, in the fibers interrupted by the groove or grooves. This may make it possible to increase the precision by making it possible to trace a thin smudge-free line with the tip, if desired.

The applicator tip is preferably produced by cutting a one-piece cylindrical blank, notably with the aid of a cutting tool that is movable and orientable in all spatial directions.

The applicator tip is preferably impregnated with the cosmetic product to be applied, notably eyeliner. This may enable the product to defuse easily by capillary action. The fibres make it possible to transport the product along the applicator tip.

The longitudinal or oblique groove or grooves may be produced by machining the blank, by deformation or by heating.

Apart from the groove or grooves, it is possible for the applicator tip not to have any perforations or indentations in its surface used for application. It is thus possible for the applicator tip not to have any outwardly concave edge at its distal end.

The applicator tip may have a narrowing of its cross section between the applicator part defining the application surface and an end piece for mounting the applicator tip in the body of an applicator pen or in a stem of an applicator.

The distal end of the applicator tip is preferably situated on the longitudinal axis of the applicator tip, said longitudinal axis being preferably rectilinear.

A further subject of the invention is a method for manufacturing an applicator according to the invention, wherein:

-   -   an applicator tip made of felt is produced, in particular by         cutting a one-piece cylindrical blank, and     -   longitudinal or oblique grooves are made in the applicator tip,         in particular by machining the blank.

A further subject of the invention is a device for packaging and applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product, having:

-   -   a reservoir containing the product to be applied, in particular         an eyeliner, and     -   an applicator according to the invention.

The applicator tip may be permanently fastened to the reservoir containing the product. The device may then be in the form of a pen, the applicator tip dipping into the product, so that the latter is carried by capillary action to the application surface.

As a variant, the reservoir is separate from the applicator during the application. The applicator may have a stem mounted on a closure cap of a container containing the product to be applied such that the applicator tip can be inserted into the container in order to be impregnated with product.

The applicator according to the invention is more particularly intended for the application of a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to the eyelids, eyebrows, lips or nails, preferably being intended for the application of an eyeliner to the eyelids.

A further subject of the invention is a method for making up the eyelid, comprising the step of applying eyeliner with the aid of an applicator according to the invention.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from reading the following detailed description of nonlimiting illustrative embodiments thereof and from examining the appended drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic elevation view of an example of a packaging and application device according to the invention, in the form of an applicator pen,

FIG. 2 shows a schematic and perspective view of the applicator tip of the pen from FIG. 1 on its own,

FIGS. 3 to 7 show variant applicator tips according to the invention, shown on their own as schematic perspective views,

FIG. 8 is a transverse cross section along VIII-VIII from FIG. 7,

FIGS. 9 to 14 and 16 show variant applicator tips according to the invention, shown on their own as schematic perspective views, and

FIG. 15 shows a transverse cross-sectional view of a variant applicator tip according to the invention.

The packaging and application device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is in the form of an applicator pen comprising a body 11 with an elongate shape along an axis X, which defines a reservoir containing the makeup product to be applied, in this case eyeliner. The latter contains for example water, one or more pigments, notably iron oxide, and/or one or more colorants, and polymers.

The capacity of the reservoir is for example between 1 and 6 ml.

The device 10 may also comprise, as illustrated, a closure cap 12 which is fixed on the body 11 for example by snap-fastening, screwing or friction.

The body 11 bears an applicator tip 20 according to the invention, examples of which are shown on their own in FIGS. 2 to 14, which may be fixed to the body 11 by any suitable means and which is for example force-fitted into a corresponding housing provided at the upper end of the body 11, communicating with the reservoir.

This applicator tip 20 is preferably made entirely of felt, notably of synthetic or natural fibres that are all oriented substantially in the same direction, notably along the longitudinal axis X of the tip 20, and assembled to form a felt.

The applicator tip 20 has a mounting end piece 21 which serves to fix it in the body 11, and an applicator part 22 which serves for application by coming into contact with the skin in order to deposit thereon eyeliner which impregnates the felt.

The end piece 21 may have a chamfered proximal part 70, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11.

The applicator tip 20 extends along a longitudinal axis Y which, in the examples described, is coincident with the longitudinal axis X of the body 11 of the device 10.

The applicator tip 20 is supplied with product through its proximal end 23 and the product can diffuse longitudinally therein, along the axis Y, until it reaches the applicator part 22 intended to come into contact with the skin.

The mounting end piece 21 has, in the examples described, a rotationally symmetrical shape about the axis Y, with a circular cross section. The largest diameter of the mounting end piece 21 is for example between 4 and 6 mm and is for example equal to 5 mm.

The applicator part 22 defines an application surface 25 having, in the example from FIGS. 1 and 2, an oblique groove 31 extending along an axis T not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Y of the applicator tip 20 and not contained in a plane containing the longitudinal axis Y.

In the example considered, the oblique groove forms an annular groove that extends all around the longitudinal axis Y of the applicator tip 20.

In the variant from FIG. 3, the application surface 25 has two oblique grooves 31 and 32 each forming an annular groove.

In a further variant, shown in FIG. 4, the application surface 25 has two grooves 31 and 32 forming annular grooves that intersect.

In the examples from FIGS. 1 to 4, the edges of the grooves 31 and 32 are parallel to one another. In the variant from FIG. 5, the edges of the grooves 31 and 32 follow undulations, for example regular undulations. In this example, a tangent T_(t) to one edge 43 of the groove 31 or 32 is oriented obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis Y of the applicator tip 20, at at least one point thereof.

In the example from FIG. 5, the end piece 21 for mounting the applicator tip 20 also has an oblique groove 32. The presence of one or more grooves on the mounting end piece 21 may have the advantage of giving greater suppleness to the applicator during application, of making the tip bend in order to incline it, and is esthetically pleasing owing to the continuity with the applicator part 22.

In the variant represented in FIG. 6, the oblique groove 34 follows a helical path around the longitudinal axis Y, with a path that decreases on approaching the distal end.

In the variant from FIG. 9, the application surface 25 of the applicator part 22 has two grooves 34 and 36 that follow the path of two helices that cross one other around the longitudinal axis Y of the applicator tip 20.

In the example from FIGS. 7 and 8, the oblique groove 31 of the applicator part 22 extends over less than one revolution around the longitudinal axis Y.

As represented in FIG. 8, the maximum depth P_(r) of the groove 31, measured between its bottom 41 and its edges 42, perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis T, is for example between 0.1 mm and 3 mm.

In the examples from FIGS. 10 to 14, the application surface 25 of the applicator part 22 has at least three longitudinal grooves 37, 38, 39, each extending along an axis T contained in a plane M₁ containing the longitudinal axis Y of the applicator tip 20.

The presence of longitudinal grooves may make it possible to interrupt the fibers forming the felt over a greater length than the oblique grooves. Furthermore, this may make it possible to preserve zones on the application surface that are defined by uninterrupted fibers, capable of providing more product.

In the example from FIG. 10, the longitudinal grooves 37, 38, 39 are made in the applicator tip 20 starting from its distal end 35.

In the variant represented in FIG. 12, the longitudinal grooves 37, 38, 39 are made in the applicator tip 20 starting from a non-zero distance d_(d) from its distal end 35.

In the examples from FIGS. 10, 12 and 13, the longitudinal grooves 37, 38, 39 extend over one portion only of the length L_(p) of the application surface 25.

In the variants from FIGS. 11 and 14, the longitudinal grooves 37, 38, 39 extend over the entire length L_(p) of the application surface 25. In these examples, the longitudinal grooves 37, 38, 39 continue on the mounting end piece.

In the examples from FIGS. 1 to 12 and 14, the grooves are continuous.

In the examples from FIGS. 13 and 16, the longitudinal grooves 37, 38, 39 are discontinuous, forming oblong indentations in the example from FIG. 13 and cells in the example from FIG. 16.

In the variant represented in FIG. 15, the applicator tip 20 has four longitudinal grooves 37, 38, 39, equally distributed around the longitudinal axis Y.

The applicator part 22 is, especially in the examples from FIGS. 4 and 5, symmetrical with respect to a median plane M that passes through the longitudinal axis Y.

Generally, the length L_(p) of the applicator part 22 is for example between 4 and 15 mm. The largest transverse dimension w of the applicator part 22 is for example between 4 and 6 mm.

The application surface 25 is preferably of tapered shape, with a cross section that decreases in the direction of the distal end 35.

In the examples from FIGS. 1 to 13, the applicator part 22 is of conical shape, apart from the grooves. In the variants from FIG. 14, the applicator part 22 has an outwardly concave generatrix.

The invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described. Notably, it is possible to further modify the shape of the applicator tip without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The applicator tip may be covered with a coating of flocking, where appropriate.

The applicator tip is not necessarily fixed to a reservoir body during application. It may be mounted at the end of a stem of an applicator which can be fixed to the body 11 of a container containing the product when it is not in use.

The expression “comprising a” should be understood as being synonymous with “comprising at least one”. 

1. An applicator for a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to human keratin materials, having: an applicator tip made of felt, defining an application surface of the product, extending along a longitudinal axis and having at least one oblique groove extending along an axis not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the applicator tip and not contained in a plane containing the longitudinal axis.
 2. An applicator for a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to human keratin materials, having: an applicator tip made of felt, defining an application surface of the product, extending along a longitudinal axis and having at least three longitudinal grooves each extending along an axis contained in a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the applicator tip.
 3. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the oblique groove or grooves optionally extend to the distal end of the applicator tip.
 4. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the oblique groove or grooves extend over one portion only or over the entire length of the application surface.
 5. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the applicator tip has a mounting end piece and at least one oblique groove extends over the mounting end piece.
 6. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the oblique groove or grooves each extend over less than one revolution around the longitudinal axis of the applicator tip.
 7. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the oblique groove or grooves form one or more annular grooves extending all around the longitudinal axis of the applicator tip.
 8. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the applicator tip has at least two oblique grooves forming annular grooves that intersect.
 9. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one oblique groove follows the path of a helix around the longitudinal axis of the applicator tip.
 10. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the applicator tip has two oblique grooves that follow the path of two reverse helices that cross one other around the longitudinal axis of the applicator tip.
 11. The applicator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the longitudinal grooves are equally distributed around the longitudinal axis of the applicator tip.
 12. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the groove or grooves are continuous.
 13. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the groove or grooves are discontinuous, each forming a succession of cells or oblong indentations.
 14. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the maximum depth of a groove, measured between its bottom and its edge, perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis, is between 0.1 mm and 3 mm.
 15. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application surface has a variable cross section, decreasing in the direction of the distal end of the applicator tip.
 16. A device for packaging and applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to human keratin materials, having: a reservoir containing the product to be applied, and an applicator as claimed in claim
 1. 17. A method for manufacturing an applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein: an applicator tip made of felt is produced, and oblique grooves are made in the applicator tip.
 18. The applicator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the longitudinal groove or grooves optionally extend to the distal end of the applicator tip.
 19. The applicator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the longitudinal groove or grooves extend over one portion only or over the entire length of the application surface.
 20. The applicator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the applicator tip has a mounting end piece and at least one longitudinal groove extends over the mounting end piece.
 21. The applicator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the groove or grooves are continuous.
 22. The applicator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the groove or grooves are discontinuous, each forming a succession of cells or oblong indentations.
 23. The applicator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the maximum depth of a groove, measured between its bottom and its edge, perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis, is between 0.1 mm and 3 mm.
 24. The applicator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the application surface has a variable cross section, decreasing in the direction of the distal end of the applicator tip.
 25. The device according to claim 16, the applicator tip being supplied with product from its proximal end.
 26. A device for packaging and applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to human keratin materials, having: a reservoir containing the product to be applied, and an applicator as claimed in claim
 2. 27. The device according to claim 26, the applicator tip being supplied with product from its proximal end.
 28. A method for manufacturing an applicator as claimed in claim 2, wherein: an applicator tip made of felt is produced, and longitudinal grooves are made in the applicator tip. 